NCAT Guardianship Division Fact Sheet | What to expect at a hearing – Easy Read (June 2016) Page 1

What to expect at a hearing Easy Read version

NCAT Fact Sheet Guardianship Division

NCAT Guardianship Division Fact Sheet | What to expect at a hearing – Easy Read (June 2016) Page 2

Guardianship Division Image Description

You have the right to make choices

in your life

If someone thinks you need help to

make choices due to your disability

they can apply for guardianship

A group of experts will make a

decision

These people are called the

Tribunal

NCAT Guardianship Division Fact Sheet | What to expect at a hearing – Easy Read (June 2016) Page 3

The hearing Image Description

A hearing is when the Tribunal

meets to make decisions about a

person with a disability

Most hearings are run by 3 people

• A lawyer

• A person who works with

people with disability

• A person who knows about

people with disability

The hearings are not formal like a

court

People are made to feel comfortable

NCAT Guardianship Division Fact Sheet | What to expect at a hearing – Easy Read (June 2016) Page 4

Where are the hearings held? Image Description

Most hearings are held in Sydney

Some hearings are held in other

parts of NSW like Newcastle or

Wollongong

You will get a letter telling you about

the hearing

The letter will tell you

• The date of the hearing

• The time of the hearing

• The place of the hearing

NCAT Guardianship Division Fact Sheet | What to expect at a hearing – Easy Read (June 2016) Page 5

Do I have to go to the hearing? Image Description

You should go to the hearing if you

can

The hearing is about you

Important decisions will be made

about you and your rights

It is important you get to have your

say

If you do not go, the hearing might

happen without you having a say

NCAT Guardianship Division Fact Sheet | What to expect at a hearing – Easy Read (June 2016) Page 6

What if I cannot go? Image Description

If you cannot go to the hearing you

must ring the Tribunal and tell the

staff

The staff can help you to ring or use

video conference for the hearing

NCAT Guardianship Division Fact Sheet | What to expect at a hearing – Easy Read (June 2016) Page 7

Who goes to the hearing? Image Description

The person who made the

application goes to the hearing

You can take someone you trust to

help you like a family member or

friend

They can tell the Tribunal things

about you

The Tribunal might decide you need

someone to help you

NCAT Guardianship Division Fact Sheet | What to expect at a hearing – Easy Read (June 2016) Page 8

Do I need a lawyer? Image Description

You do not have to have a lawyer

If you want a lawyer at the hearing

you can have one

You have to ask the Tribunal if this is

OK

Your lawyer can write to the Tribunal

explaining why you want a lawyer

The letter needs to be sent 1 week

before the hearing

The Tribunal may decide you need a

lawyer to help you at the hearing

NCAT Guardianship Division Fact Sheet | What to expect at a hearing – Easy Read (June 2016) Page 9

Before the hearing Image Description

You can write to the Tribunal and

say what you think about the

application

You can send reports which back up

what you want to say

This will help the Tribunal

understand about you and what

help you need

You can call the Tribunal to find out

what to send 02 9556 7600

All documents need to be sent one

week before the hearing

NCAT Guardianship Division Fact Sheet | What to expect at a hearing – Easy Read (June 2016) Page 10

At the hearing Image Description

Check your letter for the date, time

and place of the hearing

Arrive 15 minutes early

When you arrive tell your name to the

person at reception

If you have questions ask the person

at reception

You will be asked to sit in the waiting

area

NCAT Guardianship Division Fact Sheet | What to expect at a hearing – Easy Read (June 2016) Page 11

At the hearing Image Description

You will be invited into the hearing

room when the Tribunal is ready

The meeting is recorded so there is

a record of what people say

The Tribunal will introduce

themselves and explain what will

happen

NCAT Guardianship Division Fact Sheet | What to expect at a hearing – Easy Read (June 2016) Page 12

At the hearing Image Description

It is important that you tell the

Tribunal what you think and how

you feel

You can ask questions

Everyone will be able to say what

they think is best for you

The Tribunal might ask you

questions

Most hearings last for 1 or 2 hours

NCAT Guardianship Division Fact Sheet | What to expect at a hearing – Easy Read (June 2016) Page 13

Decision Image Description

The Tribunal will meet in private to

make a decision

They will tell you what they decide

Then you can go home

Sometimes the Tribunal takes a

long time to decide

If this happens they will send you a

letter to tell you what they decided

If you have any questions about

what happens at a Tribunal hearing

call 02 9556 7600

NCAT Guardianship Division Fact Sheet | What to expect at a hearing – Easy Read (June 2016) Page 14

This fact sheet has been made easy to read by

www.nswcid.org.au